Utopian Community

I woke up startled. The clock showed 5:30am. My husband was not in the bed next to me. My son was curled up inside the blanket. My feet touched the cold wooden floor alerting my senses to wake up. I heard a noise from downstairs. I rubbed my eyes, got up and went down to see what my husband was doing. When he saw me he smiled and said "Coffee is almost ready". 

I went down to help him water the plants. I picked up dry leaves on the floor, partially pretending to help him but waiting for coffee. 

"Will they come at 9 as usual?" I asked.

"Yes. May be early but they have never arrived late." My husband said.

"Are we ok? Did we do everything right?" I was worried only from outside. In my mind, I was confident. 

We spent all day yesterday ordering accounts, filing receipts and tidying up our house. The house was speckless, laundry - done, Dishes - washed, dried and put back, washrooms - sparking clean, Laundry - done, Cars - Washed and tuned, Receipts for all purchases filed. We made sure our son completed all school work even if he was just in first grade, cleaned up his room himself and learned few new words. This isn't the first time. We have done this every month before. We share all our work because there is a need to. There is no His work or Her work. We have to equally contribute and equally share. Because they will ask. They have a checklist. You cannot do the same work you did last month. Each month the partners or spouse need to take turn. They verify that. They ask your kids. You cannot teach kids to lie. They will find out.

Our neighbors were evacuated last week. They have been moved to Zone C. Its not bad but still the taxes are high. We have been living in Zone B for last 3 years and we have been doing good. I am happy here. I have no intention to apply to move to Zone A. Not yet. May be when we are ready.

The system has been in place for about 5 years. Every house, apartment, room was audited each month. A group of government people came to our house to check if everything is orderly. Household chores need to be shared equally. There is no Man work or Woman work. My husband has to clean the washrooms while I have to take the car for wash and maintenance. Its all margined based on physical ability. Exceptions are limited unless they find the person unfit to do the work. They also assess Family Time each of us spend. Contribution to kids welfare. There are financial restrictions. We cannot eat at a restaurant more than twice a month, we cannot buy fancy stuff more than once a month. We have allowances, they check how much we save Why? The Taxes. All this affect the taxes we pay. Zone B pays minimum tax. Zone A is tax free. Only highly respected people who have spent their life for the wellness of other human beings are placed in Zone A. Most of them are Volunteers, doctors that treat without fees, Military members, Public Services employees live in Zone A. Zone C and Zone D pay higher taxes.

A lot of them protested, there were fights but it all subsided when the government wouldn't budge. Crime has come down, poverty is eradicated, domestic violence is null. Everyone pays taxes on income tier and also based on how they keep their home and family together.

The city is a much happy place from what I knew as a kid and I'd want nothing to change. I need to get ready. They will be here any minute.

Apr 14th, Year 2121.